Find out what’s working and what’s not when fishing in the Port Renfrew area on Southern Vancouver Island. Tips, best practices, places and the go-to lures are just a sample of what you’ll find in our fishing report.
Port Renfrew Marine Weather Forecast
Port Renfrew Fishing Report
Click Here for Area 20 Current Regulations
May 2025 Port Renfrew Fishing Report
I’ve been guiding Port Renfrew for 28 years, and I’m looking forward to giving you updates on my area! Port Renfrew is renowned for exceptional fishing opportunities—it’s a must-visit, and the marinas are now open. If you have any questions, please drop me a line!
Right in the Port Renfrew area there is no retention of Chinook, but there is great fishing for release. The crowds are not here yet, so you can really learn the place without all the pressure. It is also a terrific way to get the kids out and just have some fun.
To retain Chinook, run up to Nitinat and Area 21 for great May fishing. My favourite lures for May are the Westcoast Fishing Tackle Sex-E or Little Phat-E in gold and silver, blue and silver, or theSex-E 69 colour. Original Gibbs Coho Killers in similar colours are also terrific producers. My favourite flasher colours are chrome, chartreuse, and blue chrome.
Halibut fishing is another highlight of Port Renfrew. Most boats will go to Swiftsure Bank and areas around it. Have a larger boat (i.e. 23′ and above) when going out that far like, as the weather can turn. If you are not confident about going that far offshore, there are many local charter outfits that will take you. My favourite baits for halibut fishing are herring, salmon bellies, and octopus.
Port Renfrew offers opportunities to catch lingcod, rockfish, and various species of bottom fish. Lingcod are known for their aggressive strikes and are found near rocky structures. Rockfishare abundant and provide consistent action for anglers. My absolute favourite lures for lingcod are swimbaits by Gibbs, Lighthouse Lures, and Westcoast Fishing Tackle. Big, heavy ones (24 oz) that you can jig down deep to chase big fish are ideal. For rockfish, the smaller lead jigs like Westcoast Fishing Tackle Flat Fall Jigs or Candle Fish Jigs work great, while Gibbs Jumbo Anchovy Jig, Mac Fish Jigs, and Minnow Jigs are also sure bets.
MARCUS KENNETT
Marcus Kennett Fishing Charters
250-701-3663
July 2020
Let’s get this season started already, eh? The majority of small towns along the west coast of BC were closed down this spring. As a community, we welcome our tourists back for another season of great fishing.
The fishing is great right now. Halibut fishing is steady at most of the anchoring spots. Unfortunately, I don’t have any information at this time for drifting areas.
Chinook fishing is steady in the local areas. There are fish holding at Camper Creek, Rock Pile, and Logan. Over the last few weeks, we saw huge numbers of squid spawn. This is a sure sign the Chinook will be hanging around.
It’s catch-and-release at the time of this writing, and we will hear more around the first week of June about upcoming regulations. If you want to keep Chinook, head down to Nitinat and look for some beauties in the 15- to 20-lb range.
The gear of choice close to home is small anchovies trolled in a Rhys Davis teaser behind a Hot Spot Salty Dog flasher. The Skinny G Blue Nickel is the trick at Nitinat.
If you need an updated report, feel free to contact me. As you know, the fishing changes hourly.
I wish you bent rods & blistered palms.
May 2020
This month, let’s focus on one of those opportunities which present themselves to anglers of all ages: smelting at Pacheedaht Campground. It’s a great place to fly kites and to have beach fires when permitted, and smelting is especially fun for the young ones.
Smelting is done with gill nets, which you can pick up at Trotac Marine in Victoria. If you can’t get there, you could ask your local tackle suppliers to bring one in for you. Once you get your net set up, you will need to get wet or wear chest waders. Pull the net out just past the break and toss the weight, normally a 10-lb ball.
If you’re lucky enough, you will see floats just off the beach. Seasoned smelt anglers use these as pulleys. You will need a long rope (about 100′) with one end run through the float. (You can do this at low tide.) This allows you to smelt fish without chest waders or getting wet.
The smelt season runs from the end of May through September, and smelting is best on the incoming tide. Please remember to limit your catch to what you can enjoy fresh. Smelt are great table fare, and next issue I’ll share some recipes.
I wish you bent rods & blistered palms.
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Featured Catch
Joel Unickow halibut (Photo: Rob Frawley Lucky Strike Sportfishing Tofino)
